Mike Scott
50 YEARS OF BANJO
You might call Mike Scott of Gallatin, Tennessee, a golden boy. Always smiling, always picking, the banjoist is celebrating 50 years of performance. This is his golden anniversary in the music business.
“Fans can look forward to more songs, recordings and perhaps a book,” Scott relayed. A busy man, he definitely isn’t thinking of retiring anytime soon.
Paul Schiminger, Interim IBMA Executive Director, shared, “I’m glad Bluegrass Unlimited is recognizing and celebrating Mike’s outstanding 50 years in bluegrass music. When a person isn’t old enough to drive, but is offered jobs playing with Bill Monroe and Jim & Jesse, you know there are a lot of exciting opportunities ahead. Mike has realized and made the most of them over the last five decades. He is the consummate musician and professional with such a rich career. Best of all, he is a fine person. I couldn’t be happier for Mike.”
His longtime buddy, Vince Gill, added, “I don’t remember not knowing Mike Scott. He’s been around for 50 years and me, too. He’s one of those guys you’re always glad to see coming. Never seemed like he had a bad day; he’s positive and always smiling. I’ve played with him mostly in jam sessions. He was always kind enough to invite me out to his house.”
Kyle Cantrell, Banjo Radio, stated, “Mike Scott has been known as one of bluegrass music’s most solid banjo players for my entire career. He was one of the first I met at the Grand Ole Opry, and his command of the instrument is amazing. I have long enjoyed his work and featuring him on my shows.”
Though a devoted musician, Scott has kept his life priorities in order.
“It’s God, wife, kids and then jobs. That’s God’s plan for us! It’s been a great roadmap for me.”
The 61-year-old’s musical path led him to the banjo early in his life. Raised in Watauga, Tennessee (near Johnson City), Scott began playing guitar at age 10. Shortly thereafter, Mike’s family went to his uncle’s home for a family gathering. Mike spied a banjo (which no one knew how to play) propped in the corner of the living room. A family friend who played guitar was there. He picked up the banjo and showed Mike the best he knew of how to pick a bit of “Cripple Creek.” Mike was immediately fascinated by the instrument and before the evening was over, he picked the tune with passion and enthusiasm for all visiting friends and family to see. No one realized at the time, but that evening visit was the start of Mike’s musical journey.
“I was hooked from the get-go!” exclaimed Mike. “It was kind of rough, but Mom and Dad said, ‘You did great on that banjo!’”
That was just two weeks before Christmas in 1972 and on their way home, Scott asked for a banjo. His dad countered with, “Ah, you wouldn’t take care of it.” Mike pledged that if he got a banjo for Christmas it would be the happiest day of his life, and that he would learn to play it and take good care of it.
“We went to Cate’s Music Center in Johnson City. Mom and Dad bought me a Ventura banjo, case, and some picks as well as an Earl Scruggs book. I took two or three lessons at the music store and then the teacher moved out-of-state. I learned how to do a forward roll and two chords (C and D7).”
A fast learner, Scott was soon picking up tunes on his own. “If I could hear it, I could play it. I started listening and learning all I could from the LPs, and 8-track tapes I had. Mom and Dad would take me to area jams and shows so I could watch and learn all I could form other players.”
Within three months, the 10-year-old was playing in a local band called “The Rocky Mountain Boys.” They performed for a barn dance every Saturday night (1972-73) at Slagle’s Pasture in Elizabethton, Tennessee, as well as regional shows and festivals throughout a five-state area for several years.
Eager to gain material, Scott spread the word around his elementary school that he was buying and trading for LP records that had banjo on them. He saved his lunch money and traded pocket knives.
“I was in fourth and fifth grade. Remember back when you could carry a pocket knife to school. Those were the days!” He laughingly noted, “So If any of you folks are looking for your old, missing records…I’ve got em.”
By age 12, the banjoist made his first recording (an 8-track) with The Tennessee Bluegrass Four, a group of young bluegrassers ranging from 9-12 years in age. The group of adolescents was slated as “The Youngest Bluegrass Band in the East.” They performed at multiple major bluegrass festivals and other events within a five state area.
Scott recalled playing on the same stage with first-generation bluegrass performers. “As a young band, it was exhilarating to see our name on the flyers along with the greats like Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Jim & Jesse, The Osborne Brothers, Lester Flatt, Mac Wiseman, Don Reno, Jimmy Martin and so many other bluegrass greats.”
His parents, Virgil and Nell, were hard-working country folks who provided unwavering support. His dad, an iron worker by trade and his mom, a housewife, would drive him wherever he needed to go. His mom would sew and create flashy band outfits. Scott mused, “To give a hint of how our outfits looked, she liked Elvis. Yes…sequins & flash!”
My mom was half Cherokee and she believed in the old ways. I plowed with a horse, we raised tobacco, and grew and canned vegetables. Dad had an old 1948 8N Ford farm tractor that I started driving when I was five years old. I was buying instruments at 15 from money that I’d saved from playing shows, working in tobacco, and selling scrap metal and pop bottles. Anything to make and save a dollar!”
While still just 15, Mike received a call from Wayne Lewis, lead singer and guitarist for Bill Monroe, who offered him a job picking banjo as one of Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys. Almost simultaneously, Mike was invited by Jim & Jesse to be a Virginia Boy. Although hyped to the max, Scott declined so that he could complete his high school education. Mike was graciously offered the job as a Bluegrass Boy twice more several years later by Monroe himself.
During his mid-teens, Scott picked a couple years with The Cumberland Mountain Boys before joining Carl Story & The Rambling Mountaineers when he was 18.
“We were playing 150 to 175 dates a year,” quite a feat for a young man fresh out of high school. “Some of the greatest highlights of playing with Carl Story, The Father of Bluegrass Gospel, were getting to play all the major bluegrass festivals throughout the north, south, and central US, the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1982, The Cas Walker Show, and the Wheeling Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia,” said Scott.
Story’s widow, Helen, recalled, “Carl was so happy to have Mike in the band. He was not only a fantastic banjo player, but also a fine, young man. He was always dependable and mannerly.”
Scott is proud of his past. Mike recalled the first tour dates that he performed with Carl Story.
“We played nine straight nights in a row with Bill Monroe and Jim & Jesse throughout Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. During intermission at one of the shows in Hendersonville, North Carolina Jesse said, ‘Come over to my bus. I have something for you.’ He got a box off their bus. We went over to my car and he said, ‘Don’t open this now…put it in your car and open it when you get home.’ When I got home and opened it, it contained like 15 or 16 Jim & Jesse records. It was Jim & Jesse’s way of saying the unsaid, ‘Take these, learn them…here…go do this.’”
In February 1983, at the ripe old age of 20, the banjo boy accepted the position as a Virginia Boy with Jim & Jesse McReynolds’ band.
“They upped the game with 240-260 play dates a year,” Scott recalled.
Playing with Jim & Jesse really set his music career in motion. The young man from east Tennessee was introduced to some of the largest venues and audiences around the world, including The Grand Ole Opry, The Wembley Tours throughout Europe with crowds of 60-70,000 people, The Great American Music Hall, Austin City Limits and multiple top TV Shows. Mike was excited to have been with Jim & Jesse as they were the first Grand Ole Opry bluegrass band to tour three countries for three weeks throughout South Africa.
“We practiced very little during the first month I went with Jim & Jesse. My first show and weekend out with them was the Friday night Grand Ole Opry, Tallahassee, Florida, and Valdosta, Georgia. You’d tune up, go over it a bit, and go on stage. We went in the studio and recorded their Homeland Harmony record and only rehearsed the night before the session. There are so many memories of picking with Jesse in the back of the bus, while traveling down the road on to our next shows.”
In 1983, while still performing with Jim & Jesse, Mike released his first solo album on CMS Records Classics for Banjo featuring Kenny Baker, Joe Stuart, Jesse McReynolds and Jerry Douglas.
Scott is thankful for all those musical moments and relationships that he experienced as a Virginia Boy for four years and the continued performances with Jesse up to most recent years. “It was the best four years of my life from 1983-1986,” he readily admitted.
The late Jesse McReynolds stated, “I’ve known Mike Scott since he was a young man playing banjo back in the mid-70s at 15 years old, and realized his talents then and knew he was a notch above other young players his age. Jim and I knew it was just a matter of time before he hopefully would go to work for us with The Virginia Boys. Traveling nationally and internationally throughout the USA, Canada, Europe and South Africa, The Grand Ole Opry, and the many TV shows we performed, we had so many great times out there on the road. I am proud to call him my friend and I am happy to celebrate his 50th anniversary. Congratulations, Mike!”
Scott and all the attending “Virginia Boys” served as honorary pallbearers during Jesse McReynolds’s funeral in June and what a special honor it was.
“Jesse was always a ‘father figure’ to me. It was ironic that we lost Jesse June 23rd, 2023 on my dad’s birthday (Virgil Scott 6/23/31-2/15/04). It was such a great service for everyone to honor Jesse. Jesse was always an innovator. He was outside the box and very distinct in his style of playing. He had a heart bigger than Texas. Being a Christian is livin’ the good life. I had the opportunity to take Jesse to a men’s Bible study for over a year on Saturday mornings here in Gallatin at his home church. When Jesse felt well, we could make it to the men’s fellowship.”
Rhonda Vincent interjected, “I’ve known Mike Scott for over 30 years. We’ve played at festivals as teenagers when he was with Jim & Jesse. He’s a great friend and I’m so proud of his 50 years of music. Congratulations Mike. Keep on pickin’.”
In 1987, Mike Scott & The All-American Band was created. The professional musician began traveling the bluegrass circuit throughout the USA and internationally with his own band. He also began semi-regularly performing with Grammy award winner, trumpet player, vocalist, and producer Danny Davis & the Nashville Brass at Nashville’s Stardust Theater but also at some out-of-state special shows. This was a stimulating twist in Mike’s music career as he enjoyed the blending of grass and brass. He played to sold-out shows at the Stardust Theater that ended with finales including the great saxophone extraordinaire, Boots Randolph. “We performed 30-40 dates per year for just over seven years, playing Vegas-type shows. It was first class! We’d fly in and put on our tuxedos and hit the stage. It is amazing what I learned from those incredible musicians,” he expressed.
“We would play Foggy Mountain Breakdown in five keys…and without using a capo! That’s different! Danny & The Nashville Brass Band were so well trained, so professional, so spot on!”
Jim McReynolds often introduced Scott as “The Pride of Watauga, Tennessee.” Bill Monroe nicknamed him, Mike “Smilin’ Scott”.
“Bill always said that banjo players don’t normally smile…and I always told him…says who? Ha!”
In 1989, Mike’s mom, Nell, called with much excitement to say the Elizabethton Star Newspaper near Mike’s hometown expressed that they would like to do a full-page article on him. Often referred to as a prodigy child, the community later held a “Watauga Days/Mike Scott Homecoming Festival” in 2011 with lots of music including the ETSU Bluegrass Band and family-fun activities in honor of their hometown hero.
In 1990-91 Mike had two record deals: one with CURB Records and one with RCA Records using Nashville’s finest “A Team” musicians: Carl Jackson (guitar/harmonies/producer), Emory Gordy Jr. (electric bass), Bruce Bouton (steel), Garry Smith (piano), Steve Turner (drums), Stuart Duncan (fiddle) and Emmylou Harris (harmony vocals). Expanding his musical talents, the professional musician started touring with his acoustic country and bluegrass band as an artist, leasing tour buses, and performing corporate dates and major festivals.
In 2001, Mike joined Ronnie Reno & The Reno Tradition. In addition to extensive travel, he did four album releases, and was also part of “Reno’s Old Time Music” show produced by Ronnie. It aired regularly on RFD-TV reaching over 60 million homes internationally including the United States, New Zealand and Australia.
Mike remained with The Reno Tradition until Ronnie’s retirement in 2020. A multitasker, Mike continued playing select national and international shows as Mike Scott and the Nashville Band that included incredible Nashville singers and musicians. He also hosted the TV show “Behind The Dream” that aired on Blue Highway TV.
Ronnie Reno expressed, “Mike Scott is a great musician, talent and wonderful showman. I enjoyed our almost 20 years together. Mike, congratulations on your 50th year.”
Additionally, the Mike produced multiple gift shop bluegrass instrumental projects. He was one of the first to be a “Featured Banjo Artist.”
Scott owns his own label, CMS Music. He has also has recorded for Homestead Music, Maple Street Music, Gaither Music, Green Hills Music, Rural Rhythm Music and Rural Rhythm Christian. Several of these recordings included top musicians such as: Adam Steffey, Bryan Sutton, Rob Ickes, Aubrey Haynie, Mike Compton, Tim Stafford, Ben Isaacs, Craig Duncan and Scott Miller. One of these bluegrass instrumental projects became a regular production of sound at Legoland Theme Park in Florida. CMA’s Close Up Magazine, featured Mike Scott’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky” project in honor of the Bill Monroe’s 100th Birthday. It was one of the most played bluegrass instrumental projects on Sirius XM Radio.
The lifelong banjoist is rightfully proud of his 2011 Mike Scott, Take Me Lord and Use Me project produced by Mike and released by Rural Rhythm. The title song written by Mike and wife, Brenda Marshall Scott, includes music legends such as Vince Gill, Sonya Isaacs, Carl Jackson, Claire Lynch, Jesse McReynolds, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Buck White and many other top musicians.
“It was a great musical opportunity to call on some of my favorite artists and friends. And to get to produce them on my project was over the top!”
Carl Jackson shared, “My favorite thing about Mike Scott goes well beyond his musical talents. He is a world class banjo player, but above that a world class person and friend. That smile… that smile that lights up every room he enters and greets everyone he sees. It radiates with assurance to all of us lucky enough to know him, as well as those meeting him for the first time, that Mike Scott is genuine…a true friend.”
The golden boy’s latest release is an original banjo instrumental called “Watauga Miner” on CMS Music. It was written in honor of his grandfather who played old-time banjo and worked in the coal mines of West Virginia. It is written and recorded in a G-minor tuning. A music video has also been released on his project. It was used in the soundtrack of the documentary film, “An Appalachian Dawn.” In fact, both of Mike’s grandfathers…Anthon Scott and Sam Ellison, as well as his great-grandmother Birdie Scott, born during the Civil War, played old time banjo.
The Scotts have been married for over 28 years. Brenda is a sibling of the notable bluegrass gospel band, The Marshall Family. They reside in Gallatin, Tennessee, a suburb 28 miles northeast of Nashville. They own and operate “The Grand Inheritance/circa 1790” a historic wedding and event venue. They have two married sons and three wonderful grandchildren.
Scott reflected on his 50 years in the music industry. He is truly grateful for all his experiences throughout his musical journey. The professional musician has had other wonderful adventures that came from his career in music. He has been featured in many articles and cover stories of some of the best bluegrass, banjo and country music magazines throughout the years.
“For over 25 years, I rabbit hunted with Jimmy Martin and occasionally with Little Jimmy Dickens. Several times, Grandpa Jones called me to go ginseng hunting.” Mike stated. “I’m so fortunate to have come to Nashville when I did and have the opportunity to meet so many first-generation stars in both bluegrass and country music. There was nothing like hanging out backstage at The Opry trading jokes with Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff asking me to bring my banjo over to his room to play some tunes.”
Gill agreed, “You look at life like we’ve both had for so many years. He gave his life to it. I’m grateful he loved the music like the rest of us.”
In his 50 years of performing, Scott has played in every state except Hawaii, appeared at The Ryman and The New Grand Ole Opry over 450 times and performed in over 53 countries (with some repeat tours) in front of hundreds of thousands of people in music venues, theaters, parks, and festivals and even for some kings and queens.
“That’s a lot of miles in cars, buses, planes and trains!” exclaimed Scott. “I’ve had people ask me from time to time, what have been my favorite places to perform on tour? Of course, all the many times I’ve had the opportunity to perform at the Grand Ole Opry throughout the years here in Nashville. I also performed at The Schermerhorn Concert Hall. This venue is regarded as ‘the Carnegie Hall’ of Nashville. I played solo banjo there as a featured artist! This was incredible and for sure made the favorites list.
“There have been so many places I’ve toured. The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California, was just an amazing venue so deep in history. I performed three tours of Israel taking my banjo there, performing next to The Sea Of Galilee.
“There are so many countries I have had the opportunity to tour. I love Norway, Ireland and Europe. I have family heritage going way back to Ireland and Scotland. I performed and toured in Ireland in 1984 and more recently in 2019 performing 18 shows in 15 days. I played the Plowing Fest that had over 490,000 people in attendance over three days! Photos can’t describe that many people gathered on 800 acres! This is just to name a few but there are so many more. I have been so blessed to have had these opportunities.”
The lifetime picker performs with Sullivan banjos (which he endorses) as well as his original pre-war Gibson banjos. Mike and Eric Sullivan, of Sullivan Banjos, have designed two new Mike Scott Artist Signature Models. They are designed using Mike’s 1937 PB-18 Gibson original pre-war flathead banjo…number one of five. They will be available within the next few months. Upon order, Mike will personally hand sign each of the banjos. Also, in honor of Mike’s 50 years, Sullivan Banjos is currently building Mike a personal “50th Anniversary Custom Banjo.
Mike enjoys mentoring all ages and levels of banjo players. For many years, he has instructed beginner, intermediate and advanced banjo pickers at universities, banjo camps and workshops. He has many “Banjo Buddies.”
“I hope to write a book sometime soon. I have so many wonderful memories and stories,” Scott concluded.
“I‘m definitely not finished, I still love touring and performing (nationally and internationally), producing and doing sessions. I look forward to hopefully seeing you all out here on the music trails sometime soon. Thanks so much to everyone for their support of my music and ministry. I’m so excited to see what God has for me next! Lord Bless Ya!”
For more information on Mike, booking info, music and more visit www.mikescottmusic.com.
